Most affordable cities for renters in Pennsylvania
Cities in Pennsylvania ranked by lowest median rent. Includes cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- Johnstown ranks first, with a median rent of $896/mo.
- Across all 35 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,458/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Median rent from RentDataNow's monthly city data (Zillow's rent index where Zillow covers the city). Rank a year ago compares the same cities' rent 12 months earlier. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
35 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | JohnstownPA | $896/mo | +3.1% | -- | 28.4% | ↑1 from #2 |
| 02 | New CastlePA | $931/mo | +11.4% | -- | 26.5% | ↓1 from #1 |
| 03 | AltoonaPA | $1,033/mo | +8.6% | -- | 24.2% | same |
| 04 | McKeesportPA | $1,054/mo | +2.2% | -- | 37.0% | same |
| 05 | EriePA | $1,098/mo | +2.9% | +37.4% | 28.6% | same |
| 06 | WilliamsportPA | $1,113/mo | -0.1% | -- | 27.3% | same |
| 07 | HazletonPA | $1,259/mo | 0.0% | -- | 32.7% | -- |
| 08 | ChambersburgPA | $1,287/mo | +3.3% | -- | 27.3% | same |
| 09 | Wilkes-BarrePA | $1,311/mo | +7.6% | -- | 32.4% | ↓2 from #7 |
| 10 | ScrantonPA | $1,346/mo | +3.8% | +26.0% | 31.8% | ↓1 from #9 |
| 11 | MonroevillePA | $1,354/mo | +0.9% | -- | 20.5% | ↑1 from #12 |
| 12 | YorkPA | $1,367/mo | +5.1% | +29.5% | 33.9% | ↓2 from #10 |
| 13 | ChesterPA | $1,386/mo | +6.3% | -- | 40.2% | ↓2 from #11 |
| 14 | HarrisburgPA | $1,388/mo | +2.1% | +23.0% | 34.6% | same |
| 15 | CarlislePA | $1,391/mo | +2.4% | +35.8% | 27.0% | ↓2 from #13 |
| 16 | HanoverPA | $1,401/mo | +2.4% | -- | 27.4% | ↓1 from #15 |
| 17 | LebanonPA | $1,453/mo | +0.3% | -- | 36.0% | same |
| 18 | Bethel ParkPA | $1,458/mo | -0.8% | -- | 16.3% | same |
| 19 | ReadingPA | $1,472/mo | +3.7% | +36.7% | 40.1% | ↓3 from #16 |
| 20 | LancasterPA | $1,564/mo | +4.1% | +31.3% | 29.5% | ↓1 from #19 |
| 21 | PittsburghPA | $1,569/mo | +4.0% | +23.3% | 28.6% | ↓1 from #20 |
| 22 | Drexel HillPA | $1,682/mo | +3.3% | -- | 22.9% | ↓1 from #21 |
| 23 | AllentownPA | $1,686/mo | +3.5% | +24.2% | 36.5% | ↓1 from #22 |
| 24 | HorshamPA | $1,744/mo | +1.6% | -- | 22.0% | ↑1 from #25 |
| 25 | PhiladelphiaPA | $1,757/mo | +3.4% | +19.8% | 34.0% | ↓2 from #23 |
| 26 | NorristownPA | $1,785/mo | +4.8% | +26.9% | 32.1% | ↓2 from #24 |
| 27 | PottstownPA | $1,787/mo | +2.8% | -- | 35.3% | ↓1 from #26 |
| 28 | LevittownPA | $1,836/mo | +1.2% | -- | 21.0% | same |
| 29 | EastonPA | $1,838/mo | +4.1% | +29.3% | 31.8% | ↓2 from #27 |
| 30 | BethlehemPA | $1,880/mo | +2.6% | +22.3% | 32.8% | ↓1 from #29 |
| 31 | LansdalePA | $1,969/mo | +2.3% | +18.9% | 26.8% | ↓1 from #30 |
| 32 | State CollegePA | $2,022/mo | +2.6% | +26.5% | 53.4% | same |
| 33 | PhoenixvillePA | $2,048/mo | +5.0% | +26.5% | 24.1% | ↓2 from #31 |
| 34 | King of PrussiaPA | $2,234/mo | +3.8% | +21.0% | 22.7% | ↓1 from #33 |
| 35 | West ChesterPA | $2,277/mo | +3.2% | +26.4% | 34.9% | ↓1 from #34 |